Lynchpin---Castle and Surrounding Grounds.

[lynchpin_castle]

The servants are unseen and unknown. Residents are welcome to take over the Servant’s rooms or not, but it is not recommended. Likewise, it is unclear where the Master resides. Usually s/he will call a meeting of their champions and meet them within the reception all or Banquet room.

Meals are typically taken together as a group, and if requested--training times for the champions as a group may be arranged. Both of the mundane variety, and also recreations of challenge-zones, such as the Labyrinth and the Mirror Gallery. The castle and its immediate surroundings have been set to mimic Earth with its single moon and 24 hour cycle of time, along with a standard Julian calendar for convenience.

Comments

Basement Level--training areas

[lynchpin_castle]

The floor plan was actually very useful, as it labeled rooms easily. The servants quarters and areas were simple enough, and showed evidence of a normal life--simply no...servants. Or at least nothing but vague hints of those presences they'd both sensed before.

The Basement also, however, held not only showers and a locker room, but a long corridor meant for dueling (apparently), a dojo, a swimming pool, and a simple gym. Some of it was likely primitive compared to Ahsoka's time, but modern for Trunk's own time.

The discussion of what the Force was lasted as they walked. Especially since Trunks then explained in turn what ki was. They were only just starting to get into the similarities and differences, when they found their chosen areas.

[neveraknight]

The floor plans seemed simple enough. She'd seen bigger plans than this, but this seemed easy enough to remember and understand. Talking about the Jedi and the Force was easy enough, so long as she didn't focus on Anakin or Obi-wan or the council, or Barriss...

Right. She was more interested in what he said about Ki. "Yes, but that sounds very... I mean, I suppose there are differences, but..." She squinted at him as she tried to get her brain around it. "No, no... it does sound a lot like the Force I suppose." She agreed and paused as they came to the training areas, looking around in amazement, going ahead of him a bit to peek into one area. "Wow, this is almost better than the temple in some ways..."

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks was biting his lip at one point, trying to think of how to explain. "You said the Force is in all living things right?" Much more animated and content with this discussion. "Every living thing has ki. But it's not just 'life-force', it's more about your mind, body, and spirit being the sum-total."

Then his own eyes-widened, as he looked around too. There was a pool? Cool! Even if Gohan had taught him (the hard way) how to swim. "I'm not sure whether to be pleased by all the options, or worried about it." Called from somewhere over by the gym. Seems they'd kept it simple--a lot of free-weights mostly, and mats, and a few training dummies.

[neveraknight]

"The living Force is in all things. But that includes rocks and trees and the ground, and water, and entire planets. Not just one persons mind or body." She pointed out, as a last thought, before looking over the training halls and such.

"I think a healthy amount of 'pleased' and 'concerned' is in order. Clearly they want to give us everything to give us an edge, but for what?" She said, a hand rolling over some weights as she came around to this side too. "The pool will be nice though. It's been a while since I've had to swim."

[light_of_willpower]

"Where as ki can be..." Pausing, going back to the earlier conversation. "It's...it requires a will. A sentient will." That was the best way he could think of to explain it.

One end of the gym was a mirrored wall, and he went over to it. Resting a hand on it, as he thoughts. "Well...we don't know what we'll be facing. From what I understood, we're here to represent existence itself. And the other side will have its champions too..."

[neveraknight]

"One sounds more... personal than the other. In a way." The Force was for everyone, but only few could control it. Ki sounded very personal, and still only few could handle it? Maybe.

She turned from where she was looking past to the pool, and back towards the other in the room, hands on her hips, head tilted as she watched him in the mirror. "And those will be champions that should suit them, no doubt. I have a feeling if these trials come to battles, we're going to have out hands full, no matter how powerful we might be."

[light_of_willpower]

"I figured that was a given." Trunks mused, before turning to look back at her. "Besides, it might not be a battle physically. We also might not be alone."

Just the first--maybe.

"Look at the floor plan. This place is huge."

[neveraknight]

"That would honestly be a nice change for once. To have to use strategy and not just bumble into a battle for a change." She said, eyes rolling a bit. "Though, I am a bit concerned on that as well. This place is clearly made for more people. We're the first? How many more will show up, and, if they need that many more, how large is the other side? Will it be a fact that more of us are needed to deal with the demand?"

She should apologize. She's gone into War Brain, thinking about what the other side might hold. She hoped it wasn't Clankers, but then again those would be easy to take down.

[light_of_willpower]

Actually, her being in war-brain brought that hint of smile out again. It was how he was thinking, after all. "Well, we have a month to prepare. Maybe we'll get more information in the meantime."

Moving, waiting to see if she wanted to do so with him, as they found the locker-room and shower area. Then a long corridor that on the map was marked as the 'dueling room' and held various weapon racks, and what was clearly a 'dojo' modeled after the Earth-style he knew. That just made the smile widen, and he reached up with his arms in a stretch.

"They're definitely prepared."

Morning Swim

[neveraknight]

She didn't sleep well but that was to be expected. She didn't go back to meditation either though, and she wasn't attuned to the force enough to pick up on things. She would have to be careful of that. She wouldn't want to hone in on anything personal of the others.

Waking up at her standard time she got dressed in the swimsuit she had found. This closet had a little of everything, which is something she was not used to either. After all, Jedi didn't have person possessions, and clothing was given as needed. She had a few things she could change into, but this closet of clothing made her feel like Senator Amadala almost. With all kinds of clothing to choose from.

For now, a swim suit that was comfortable. Though she realized she had some bruising at her hip and ribs, which was just a darker shade of off orange and a purple where white marks might been seen. It didn't matter though. She had bruises before. Training was important.

She took a towel with her and redressed in the dark gray sweat pants to head down. Part of her hoped Trunks managed to get some rest and just slept in. Another part of her hoped he might come down to swim too. Company was good, after all.

She stopped by the locker room, put her sweatpants and towel to the side and showered off to be sure she was clean for the pool, then headed over there. Alone and empty, but that was okay. She took no time to run and dive in. If Trunks did show up, he'd find her doing laps, almost like a fish underwater, not coming up but for a breath or two ever once in a while.

[light_of_willpower]

After the exciting day, and less than exciting but still stressful night, Trunks hadn't slept well still. About as much as he ever did, when he'd had a night with nightmares--so he was used to it. He'd tried meditating, but his brain refused to focus on 'nothing' or even just anyone thing. At least at first, and then when it did focus on one thing--his eyes had snapped open in surprise, and he was restless for another reason.

Mostly because what did he do now?--he'd never had time or energy to worry about anything like this before.

At some point he'd dozed, at least enough that when he woke up he was up. Sitting up, and blinking sleepily, and debating if he wanted to follow through with swimming. Which...wouldn't help part of why he'd been restless. Shaking his head emphatically and no--nope, he wouldn't let it bother him. Couldn't; he'd never had to before and he was good at focusing on things. So focus on the training aspects, and he could get through this.

Out of bed, and while the closet's selection had been a surprise, he was welcoming it now. Mostly because he..didn't really do swimming. If he'd been dunked in water, it was usually fully clothed and as part of his training or fights. Intellectually, he knew about swim-wear, and for all his life had been hell it had had its moments of comparative normalcy. There were some options he just...rejected outright--and then yelled at himself in his head for actually caring for once.

Finally settling on a long pair made of some kind of fabric that stretched and was clingy, but slightly thicker than the other materials. Close enough to the body suit he'd seen his father wear in pictures, which suited him alright. Those pulled on and slid into, a towel, and then a loose blue shirt over it--he was amused to realize it had the Capsule Corp logo on it.

Then down to the locker-rooms, later than Ahsoka clearly as he set his stuff aside. The worst of his scratches had faded to barely seen, and his bruising was the same. A quick rinse himself, and then he breathed. Drawing inner courage and calm as much as he could, then walked out.

To find her moving through the water as gracefully as any fish or dolphin. Did she do anything ungracefully? Trunks was sure he was bright red and tried to ignore it. Waiting until she was at the other end of her lap, before he stepped over and just dropped in. Dunking himself, then coming back up and one arm resting against the edge as he tried to remember how to properly tread water rather than flail.

[neveraknight]

As she made a few more laps, she thought maybe that was it. She was going to swim alone today. Not that she minded. It wasn't as if she was hoping or expecting him to be there or anything. He was in the Dojo normally. But.... still. She had thought thought in the back of her mind that she hoped he would come. Which wasn't like her, really. Maybe she felt that way before though, about Lux. Any time they met with his family she had hoped he'd be around. Or when he came to that meeting that once and--

Stupid. This was just morning training. It didn't matter.

When her hand tagged the end of the other side of the pool she realized that she felt his presence there at the other side. A smile formed on her lips, and montrals just barely peeked up out of the water as she glanced back to see him slip into the water. She ducked back under and swam silently his way. She wouldn't call it graceful? But she had a lot of practice from underwater battles on Mon Calimari some time ago. Swimming had become easy ever since that.

She came up to the other side, and was so tempted to reach out to tap him, but instead, she drifted a few feet away and popped up, taking a breath and smiling. "Good morning."

[light_of_willpower]

She made that look too easy--eyes narrowed at her in not-real-annoyance. "I think we have found the thing you outclass me at, physically."

While he didn't, and never would, have the pride issues his father had--he still had some. A very few, and usually over stupid stuff. Which meant pushing himself further from the wall, arms out to the side as he tread water clumsily. Managing it, but clumsily. "Good morning, Ahsoka." Much more polite there, ducking his gaze slightly and then off to the side.

This had been such a bad idea...

[neveraknight]

She chuckled at his narrowed eye glare, and gave him an award winning grin. "Then maybe you're just going to have to try harder to be better than me in this." She winked, treading water as well, her lekku floated just a bit, much like relaxed arms might. "There is a planet that is completely underwater. We were there for peace talks, but it turned into a very bloody and dirty battle. When you've had to stay submerged for that long you learn to swim very well."

She waved her feet back and forth to stay above water, grinning at him. "I thought for a minute there you might not show up at all." She teased. "I take it you're not much for water."

[light_of_willpower]

If he didn't like her grin, he'd be more upset about this. "I don't mind water, but usually when I've had to deal with it I'm fully clothed and it's not for recreation." He responded, whatever annoyance that was genuine had faded as she'd talked about her time on the underwater planet.

"I didn't really learn to swim until I was 14. And then it was kind of...I learn, or I sink." Head down a bit, and he thought it over. "I'm fairly sure Gohan really wouldn't have let me drown." But he also knew that it would've been at the last second Gohan would've intervened. And then they'd have tried again.

[neveraknight]

"Well, you aren't sinking right now, so you must have at least learned well enough to manage." She said with a nod, floating there a bit and waving her hands some. "The sink or swim method is terrible though. It does nothing for a lot of people. I'm sorry you had to learn that way, Trunks."

She reached out to grab hold of the ledge, one foot on the side wall to stand on it a bit, to hold herself up with out having to move. "It's a very good full body training though, and it's low impact, so not only is it a good start to a day but it feels nice too." She was still smiling, though more softly and less of a grin. "I can teach you a bit, if you need."

[light_of_willpower]

"At least you aren't using a whirlpool?" Debating with himself for a moment, before he moved back to the ledge too. One arm holding on, foot braced as well so he didn't have to move. "Although that reminds me..."

Quiet again, studying her. Specifically going to sense and read her Ki Satisfied by what he saw though, even if he wasn't sure he was the best judge. "I have no idea how this might work, given our different universes, but you DO have the potential to use ki. At least enough to levitate and fly."

Not that he minded her flying with him at all.

Dojo--Mid-Morning. Trunks vs Ty Lee (Open)

[light_of_willpower]

Mid-morning, and Ty Lee was overjoyed to find something the other would willingly do with her. She wasn't stupid, she knew she could come on strong—but usually the shy guys didn't mind her being a bit more forward. Oh well—this would still be fun.

There was clearly more to being a Champion than just physical skills, but that didn't mean Ty Lee wouldn't keep her skills in shape. It was honestly a nice break, too. Not that she didn't love being with the other Kiyoshi warriors, but it was nice to be more indidvidualized again. Especially as she stretched out and studied her companion doing the same. Certainly she appreciated watching him—seriously buff. Athletic, as she watched him stretch too; seems he wasn't just one of those guys who built themselves up and neglected other aspects for big muscles.

Trunks was, perhaps, at his most comfortable interacting this way. Mostly because it didn't matter that Ty Lee was a girl around his age, who was flirty. In sparring and training, she was just another opponent and he knew how to deal with that. Stretching himself out, focused, and serious as he walked to meet her near the center of the Dojo. Stopping a few feet away, and bowing. “Do not hold back on me, Ty Lee.”

Again the acrobat did that closed-fist-open-palm bow, smiling. “I would ask you the same, Trunks. I won't.” Back up, brown-eyes meeting blue-eyes, and she was grinning but focused as well.

Before cartwheeling forward, trying to distract him as she finished the move and slid low, attempting to sweep his feet out from under him. Trunks just crouched further down himself, blocking the attempt before striking with a higher kick. Ty Lee let it pass over her, rolling to her feet and striking out with her fists in a brief combo. Unsurprised when he blocked it easily, as the acrobat transitioned into a feint. Attempting to move to his unprotected side where she could strike out and maybe chi-block him.

Even if he wasn't a bender, usually Chi-blocking managed to render limbs numb. She managed a quick strike at his shoulder, her grin widening, then Trunks' other arm was reaching out as he pivoted and kept his grip. Moving to shift, throwing her over him and away.

No problem, as Ty Lee was comfortable in the air, as she rolled and tumbled with the move, before heading to rebound off the wall for some more height.

Trunks could tell she'd done...something—but he wasn't sure exactly what yet as he watched her. She was fast, but he had seen faster. The height didn't bother him, back flipping to take himself out of the way, and then reading surprise in her brown-eyes as he charged right back in. High-punch, low-punch, striking out with a knee, then blocking her own strike in turn with his forearm. Pivoting backwards to avoid her high-kick, as he ducked down and swept her feet out.

Expecting her to recover, and he was ready; as soon as she started twisting, he was already following up the sweep with a low-kick from his off-leg, one-hand balancing him as he twisted. That had the acrobat flying, and she rolled to recover her feet, resuming a fighting stance and studying him as he readied himself too.

“Huh, I guess my Chi-blocking doesn't work here.” Said so blithely, even if inwardly Ty Lee found it frustrating. “You're good.”

“Chi-bloc...is THAT what you did.” Trunks commented, analyzing inwardly for a moment and now he could tell what she'd done. Something to disrupt the flow of his Ki. No big deal though, since it was a sparring match. “And same to you, Ty Lee.” A hint of smirk on his face.

Ty Lee grinned, ready for the challenge. “More than just a pretty face here.” Rushing in, and they were trading blows. Close in punches, kicks, blocks and deflections, fast and calculated and this time Trunks was blocking her from getting close to strike him again. “I could say the same for you, Cutie.” Teasing him, and Trunks' was startled for all of a second.

Blushing, and Ty Lee tried to take advantage of her opening with a sharp kick upwards then down again. The up hit him, but the down didn't as he moved enough and caught her leg. Ankle held securely, as he'd pivoted in and stopped his punch a bare breath before her throat.

[neveraknight]

Himawari and Ahsoka had been training a bit in the dueling hall. She had taken up some training swords with her and had tried to help teach her a bit of what she knew. The girl had a katana and seemed to know how to use it, but not well.

Well enough, but not good enough to be a tough fight.

She was clearly better at other things, and the more they talked the more she felt like there was something strange with the girl, beside space and time travel. Still... it couldn't hurt to train her a bit in fighting. She went easy, and this was training. Teaching her how to move and hit, how to deflect. Someone had already taught her a lot, so it was a good work out for both of them.

Putting the swords up though, Ahsoka nodded back to the dojo. "I have a feeling we might be missing a show. Want to go peek in on the others?"

"Do you think they would mind?" Himawari said, smiling, head tilted but happy. She looked like she worked up a good sweat and was pulling her single pony tail up in a loop, to be off her neck but still hide it.

"I doubt they will mind too much. And if they do, they can tell us to scram." Ahsoka said and nodded towards the other room. She would have pulled on the girls hand to get her moving, but she had learned that the other didn't seem to like to be touched. She could respect that at least.

The two of them came to the Dojo, peeking in through the door before slipping in and sneaking over to the side. They had been watching most of it, whispering faintly to each other.

"It's very exciting." Himawari whispered. "They're both so very fast."

He's holding back though... Ahsoka thought, watching the two. She understood why, but this wasn't a fraction of what he could do. She ran a hand over her chin, considering it. "Ty Lee is very good though. She'll at least give him a good spar."

Did he get thrown off by the girl teasing him?

[light_of_willpower]

Ty Lee's brown-eyes were wide as she realized that she was caught, and just how close he'd stopped. Fear for a moment, then covered with a smile. That pause between them both, and Trunks let her leg go and stepped back.

"You're very good." Ty Lee complimented, arms behind her back as she also backed up a pace. "I'm glad this is just training."

Trunks kept himself relaxed, but wasn't buying that smile for a moment. Or the ease. "I've had to survive a lot of tough things." Was all he said, studying her.

"Oh I'd believe it." Brown-eyes opened again, and playful. "BUT...let's just have some fun!" All the warning she gave, before she sprang into the air in a flip, diving at him.

He caught the shift of her posture and braced himself. Prepared with his arms coming up to block as the dive had her legs trying to entrap his neck and flip him. The acrobat grinned, and used it though, letting herself slide to a hand-stand and then twist. Once more trying to get to the side of him.

Ty Lee had picked up that he was holding back too, but also a hint of weak-spot. One she would enjoy exploiting, as he pivoted like she thought he would. Easily blocking her strikes, and she slid in close again. "It's like we're dancing, Trunks. I love it!"

Blue-eyes widened again, unsure what to do with the sudden invasion of space and flirting. Ty Lee took advantage of the opening, managing to land a good solid kick the knocked him back a bit. Thanks to his surprise. She was moving to follow it up, as Trunks back-flipped away for more distance, then rolled to the side of her strike and back up to his feet, on guard once more.

[neveraknight]

If Auras were a thing that one could read, there would be one black dead aura of Himawari, as always, and one darkening one of Ahsoka who was sitting there on her shins beside the other girl watching the two go.

Distracted, she barely heard Hima's comment. Was he honestly distracted by the flirting? "huh?" She said to the girl beside her.

"I asked if you two have sparred before." Hima said softly, giving her a curious look.

"Oh, yes. Fairly often. It was just the two of us for a while is all, so you had to make due. Ty Lee moves differently than me. Faster foot work, I think. Or at least more graceful movements." Like they were dancing? That made her feel more... flustered than before for some reason.

And then Ahsoka spoke up, louder. If the other two didn't know they had two girls watching from the side lines, they will now.

"You're holding back, Trunks!" It was said a bit more... annoyed than she meant. With a bit of a snap she didn't mean to say. Her arms crossed and her head tilted, watching them. Wondering if her saying something would serious him up a bit. She didn't expect him to go all golden boy on her or anything, but his getting distracted by her flirting comments had--had what? Got to Ahsoka more than Trunks?

Maybe.

Himawari hid her mouth with a hand and giggled, giving the fighters a tiny wave if they looked.

[light_of_willpower]

Ty Lee grinned and took advantage of the surprise, to try and slide in close as his attention shifted from her, to their audience. Not that either of them had been unaware before--you couldn't be, when you were at their level. But any distraction Trunks had, was a plus in Ty Lee's book since this was fun.

So, she moved in close again and shifted her arms behind her, playful and all smiles.

Too bad Trunks was distracted, and startled--and had Ahsoka sounded annoyed? Even though Ty Lee had done something to his Ki, it was still instinct. When she suddenly popped up right in his face, to strike back--a burst of energy and aura around him (not the familiar golden one but more a pale wave-of-force-and-light) to move her back. At the same time her eyes-widened again and she went tumbling, he moved--almost too fast to be seen, and was several feet away on the other side of the room.

Pretty sure playtime was over for both of them.

[neveraknight]

It was almost the instant that things went weird that Ahsoka appeared to shrink back into herself, a hand over her mouth, like she didn't mean to distract him MORE. And that was terrible of her. And then there went the light wave of energy off him, and Ty Lee went tumbling and Trunks flash stepped away and Ahsoka hide her face a moment in her hands. "Stupid..." She mumbled to herself.

Himawari gasped as it all happened, hands coming over her mouth to hide it, eyes wide. She had sat up taller as she recognized that sort of thing that Trunks did. That energy. "Oh my... I couldn't even see him move." Ichigo did that kind of swift step as well, but not with that energy. That was someone else she had met some time ago...

[light_of_willpower]

For once the acrobat wasn't as graceful as she hadn't expected that. Hitting the floor harder than she meant to, then shaking herself off. Watching him with a serious expression, before she smiled. Offering that closed-fist/open-palm bow. "I don't think I could do much more today with you."

Trunks relaxed, and bowed back, keeping himself there respectfully. "I'm sorry." Honestly contrite. Ty Lee was all smiles again though. "Don't be." Hands behind her back once more, then stretching them up behind her as she bent a bit. "It just means when I'm in danger, you'll have to come play my hero, right?"

Trunks sighed inwardly, reaching up to rub the back of his neck in nerves, before giving a small nod in the other's directions. He was not going to dignify that with a response--Ty Lee was just trying to get to him. But damn if it wasn't working and he had no idea how to respond. She was too forceful, if anything.

[controllingluck]

Ahsoka had gotten up at this point, mumbling 'excuse me, Hima' before taking off out the door again, ducking down the hall and to the locker room swiftly. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Himawari rolled up to her bare feet, watching the other leave, then looking to the two left in the Dojo. She clapped her hands together politely, softly, and beamed at them. "I thought you were both amazing! Ty Lee, you're so fast and flexible. I thought for sure you had him there." She said, coming to the edge of the mat. "And Trunks, I haven't seen an energy like that in some time. You're both amazing fighters!"